KaKa

Why are people so nervous about him not coming to Newcastle? This isn't a grizzled veteran who wants to win trophies asap. This is a young guy who just wants to play regularly, so for once we don't have to worry about our current position, which isn't great but then again isn't disastrous either. We aren't fighting for our lives like Derby or anything. We are a well known club who can guarantee him more playing time, maybe moreso than the other clubs interested, and he happens to be very close to two members of our team. We are in a very strong position in my opinion. Matter fo fact I would say we are in the driving seat. vroom, vroom, vroom ...

I'm surprised at how many people are unfamiliar with him. He played a ton of games for Chelsea at right-back at some point last season and was really good for them. He has also played in all of Arsenal's Carling Cup games in midfield and has looked great for them there too. The good thing about this move as well is that we know for sure he can do the business in the premiership too. In my opinion it is great to see a young guy who is hungry enough to move from both Chelsea and Arsenal in order to play more and show what he can do. Brilliant. Exactly the sort we need.

I agree about the attacking players bit, but disagree with you saying we don't need him. We absolutely do. We have no young prospects at this position and no real depth after Butt (I know we have Faye, but we need him more at CB), who really shouldn't be relied upon as much as we rely on him anyway. I think he has become available for a very reasonable price and we are making a move for him. If we were looking at more creative midfielders I don't think this move affects that at all.

Left Chelsea to play more football and has found that the situation isn't much better at Arsenal. has therefore asked to leave. As Arsenal are bursting at the seams with young talent in midfield and everywhere else to be honest, Arsene has granted him his wish. Very highly rated player in France. Makelele like, but will push forward more given the opportunity. Also does a surprisingly good job at right-back too.

What a signing this would be. Geremi was a big mentor for him at Chelsea and he shares Le Havre roots with Zoggy. Our chances look very good. Arsenal got him for around £4 million and they won't ask for much more than this as he has requested the move because he isn't playing enough. Arsenal are pretty fair with their valuations when they sell players. He is a good player to have now as well as being an even better prospect for the future. Only 22 years old I believe. Here's hoping we get this done quickly.

Afonso Alves to Newcastle (with the money from Martins sale). Shola to Middlesbrough. Here is where you heard it first.

6 pages? Really!

5 pages? Why?

Yup ... I remember that. I was gobsmacked because he had actually managed to create the space to let fly with a shot. It really is disturbing how limited he is at the moment.

So other more appealing clubs are going to step aside? Most players in this range aren't seen to be the finished article for the most part, and therefore aren't pursued by a lot of other clubs. There is still a bit of a question mark with them for various reasons, for example being in smaller leagues. How many people were after the three I mentioned for instance? None of the top clubs made it really difficult for Tottenham to get Berbatov or Man City to get Elano did they? Adebayor himself wasn't exactly seen to be a world beater at the time either. So rather than chasing someone like Diego who would fall into your high price range, and who would attract attention from a lot of other clubs, we ought to look at players like Arshavin who doesn't have the reputation of Diego, but who looks like a quality player who could make an impact anyway, and perhaps surprise a lot of people like Elano has. It is up to our scouts to determine these kind of players though, which is not easy to be fair. How much were the 'scouting finds' like Obi Mikel, Eduardo, Walcott? Not sure I understand what you're saying here? Players who still are only potential at the time of purchase will in todays market cost between 10-15m. Players we need to compete (not just potential) will cost more. Parky my man you dissapoint me > Santa Cruz just cost Blackburn £3.5 million this past summer and it absolutely enraged me when it happened, because we had instead brought in Viduka. Santa Cruz didn't do it at Bayern, but he had shown time and again what a good player he was with Paraguay, since the age of 17, in big tournaments. If we do a good enough job scouting we could definitely find players with decent potential for between £6 million and £10 million in todays market. f*** off about Santa Cruz he's average. We've only just hired some scouts. When do you want to start competing 2012??!! Simmer down my firend, simmer down ...

So other more appealing clubs are going to step aside? Most players in this range aren't seen to be the finished article for the most part, and therefore aren't pursued by a lot of other clubs. There is still a bit of a question mark with them for various reasons, for example being in smaller leagues. How many people were after the three I mentioned for instance? None of the top clubs made it really difficult for Tottenham to get Berbatov or Man City to get Elano did they? Adebayor himself wasn't exactly seen to be a world beater at the time either. So rather than chasing someone like Diego who would fall into your high price range, and who would attract attention from a lot of other clubs, we ought to look at players like Arshavin who doesn't have the reputation of Diego, but who looks like a quality player who could make an impact anyway, and perhaps surprise a lot of people like Elano has. It is up to our scouts to determine these kind of players though, which is not easy to be fair. How much were the 'scouting finds' like Obi Mikel, Eduardo, Walcott? Not sure I understand what you're saying here? Players who still are only potential at the time of purchase will in todays market cost between 10-15m. Players we need to compete (not just potential) will cost more. Parky my man you dissapoint me > Santa Cruz just cost Blackburn £3.5 million this past summer and it absolutely enraged me when it happened, because we had instead brought in Viduka. Santa Cruz didn't do it at Bayern, but he had shown time and again what a good player he was with Paraguay, since the age of 17, in big tournaments. If we do a good enough job scouting we could definitely find players with decent potential for between £6 million and £10 million in todays market. if its no easy to get it right every time, and so unnecessary, please explain why manu and chelsea don't do it too ? Picking out the one in three successes [or whatever the ratio is] proves absolutely nothing mate. Santa Cruz is an extreme example I agree and he was particularly cheap. I am talking about £6 million to £10 million. You can definitely get good players for that amount still. I agree it isn't easy but even if you spend £30 million on a player it still isn't easy, and both Chelsea and Man U have messed up a ton of times. However, they are richer and more succesful than us at the moment and so can afford to do so.

So other more appealing clubs are going to step aside? Most players in this range aren't seen to be the finished article for the most part, and therefore aren't pursued by a lot of other clubs. There is still a bit of a question mark with them for various reasons, for example being in smaller leagues. How many people were after the three I mentioned for instance? None of the top clubs made it really difficult for Tottenham to get Berbatov or Man City to get Elano did they? Adebayor himself wasn't exactly seen to be a world beater at the time either. So rather than chasing someone like Diego who would fall into your high price range, and who would attract attention from a lot of other clubs, we ought to look at players like Arshavin who doesn't have the reputation of Diego, but who looks like a quality player who could make an impact anyway, and perhaps surprise a lot of people like Elano has. It is up to our scouts to determine these kind of players though, which is not easy to be fair. How much were the 'scouting finds' like Obi Mikel, Eduardo, Walcott? Not sure I understand what you're saying here? Players who still are only potential at the time of purchase will in todays market cost between 10-15m. Players we need to compete (not just potential) will cost more. Parky my man you dissapoint me > Santa Cruz just cost Blackburn £3.5 million this past summer and it absolutely enraged me when it happened, because we had instead brought in Viduka. Santa Cruz didn't do it at Bayern, but he had shown time and again what a good player he was with Paraguay, since the age of 17, in big tournaments. If we do a good enough job scouting we could definitely find players with decent potential for between £6 million and £10 million in todays market.

So other more appealing clubs are going to step aside? Most players in this range aren't seen to be the finished article for the most part, and therefore aren't pursued by a lot of other clubs. There is still a bit of a question mark with them for various reasons, for example being in smaller leagues. How many people were after the three I mentioned for instance? None of the top clubs made it really difficult for Tottenham to get Berbatov or Man City to get Elano did they? Adebayor himself wasn't exactly seen to be a world beater at the time either. So rather than chasing someone like Diego who would fall into your high price range, and who would attract attention from a lot of other clubs, we ought to look at players like Arshavin who doesn't have the reputation of Diego, but who looks like a quality player who could make an impact anyway, and perhaps surprise a lot of people like Elano has. It is up to our scouts to determine these kind of players though, which is not easy to be fair. How much were the 'scouting finds' like Obi Mikel, Eduardo, Walcott? Not sure I understand what you're saying here?

So other more appealing clubs are going to step aside? Most players in this range aren't seen to be the finished article for the most part, and therefore aren't pursued by a lot of other clubs. There is still a bit of a question mark with them for various reasons, for example being in smaller leagues. How many people were after the three I mentioned for instance? None of the top clubs made it really difficult for Tottenham to get Berbatov or Man City to get Elano did they? Adebayor himself wasn't exactly seen to be a world beater at the time either. So rather than chasing someone like Diego who would fall into your high price range, and who would attract attention from a lot of other clubs, we ought to look at players like Arshavin who doesn't have the reputation of Diego, but who looks like a quality player who could make an impact anyway, and perhaps surprise a lot of people like Elano has. It is up to our scouts to determine these kind of players though, which is not easy to be fair.

We need to do a better job of scouting as a club and bring in players in the £6 - £10 million range who still have the potential to become better, and more expensive should we choose to sell and make a profit. For example Elano, Adebayor and Berbatov, who were bought for £8 million, £6 million and £10 million respectively, but how much would they fetch in the market now? I don't think we have to go as far as buying players who cost £15 - £25 million each. Behave yourself Parky.

Tiago is apparently unsettled at Juve. Why the hell not Sam? Why the hell not?

Only because he feels under pressure which means he is less likely to take risks by bringing in players from abroad with no prem experience, who might need time to adapt. I can't at the moment think of any prem experienced players who might be available and who would be significantly better than the likes of Nolan.

The guy really does stink right now. Now England have a non English manager who isn't biased and who isn't stuck on what Owen used to do let's see how many more caps he gets.

:lol: It's so sad that this is actually true

Spot on. Owen is simply a reputation & hype. He's a name, not a brilliant player. And the thing is he did have chances, again, today- but hes simply not this finisher he's hyped up to be. People really need to realise what he actually is and not be sucked into the rubbish Owen hype. He's not the worst player ever obviosuly. But 'lethal finisher', 'world class striker' 'give him a chance and he'll put it away striker'? Its hype, and hype only & not the truth. Get rid asap. Is there something you're basing this on? His two and a half seasons with Newcastle being a complete waste of everybody's time perhaps? Exactly. Get rid. No one wants him. It's all so tragic. We're stuck with him till his contract runs out.

Owen is pathetically limited. All you ever hear is show he would finish all the opportunities Martins gets. Firstly, he will never get those same opportunities because he is too slow to. Secondly, He has missed these kind of 'simple' chances as well, and because fewer of them are created with him on the pitch its even worse. I am so tired of Michael Owen ...

The thing is though, there are actually defensive midfielders out there who can pass the ball. We don't necessarily need people in there who get forward, but more importantly, people who can pass the ball.

Unfortunately, I don't think we are likely to sign the likes of Diego etc at this moment in time. Sam is more likely to sign proven premiership players at the moment in order to help us progress more quickly (in his mind anyway!). The best we can hope for therefore, are the likes of Sidwell and Nolan, who would be slightly better than Butt and Smith I suppose. I wonder how much better we would be in the middle of the park if we had signed Sidwell and Nolan rather than Barton and Smith ...

This Alan Smith problem is a big one for us. If we were playing a 4-3-3 with him as one of a three, with Butt and a more creative type then it wouldn't have been a big deal. A 4-4-2 just makes the problem so much worse though. Again though, I still think the situation could be improved if we had a striker who dropped of deeper more often and demanded the ball (e.g. Benn Mccarthy) from both Butt and Smith, but we lack this type of player too. Our team is just a mess of players who don't fit with each other and it is really disheartening. What we need is for Sam to realise this asap. I am worried that he actually has too much fatih in these players who are mostly past it in my opinion.

blueyes.gif When I said 'small problem' I said that only because the introduction of just one half decent passer in the middle of the park would make such a huge difference in my opinion. But yeah, it is a big problem.